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London flat feedback wanted - yes, I'm going slightly crazy!

Hi all! Recently I posted about a Southwark flat and got great feedback. However, after much reflection, I've decided that I'd like a flat in a somewhat more conventional location. At the moment, I'm inclined to stick with the security of a traditional rental agency, and have scoured the usual suspects: Ivy Lettings, Coach House rentals, A Place Like Home. I've looked at One Fine Stay and Plum Guide, but they are above my budget.

When we are going: 1 week in September 2018 (9/22-9/29)

I've identified 3 different areas that have flats in my budget range that seem to meet most of my needs; I've noticed a lot of flats are below ground and, while some provide natural light, others seem to have less windows. It's not a rule-out, though. Just something to be aware of. The 3 areas that seem to have the "best bang for the buck" seem to be near Kensington/High street; Gloucester Street; and Sloane Square.

Criteria is not hard and fast as there is no "perfect" flat; I'm looking for a balance of the criteria, as no place meets my desires 100%. The immoveables:
-Budget: under $200/night
-Easy accessibility to a tube station (looking for a walk of about 5 minutes)
The variables
-Some sense of character in the area*
-Some sense of charm or character in the flat*
*Yes, these are very subjective characteristics
-Restaurants and cafes nearby as well as other shops (we are not foodies but want some choice
-Not too far from the "center" of London

Any feedback on the flats -- especially if you've stayed in any of them. It's hard to get current "real" reviews on any of these sites. And some of the reviews (Emperors Gate, for instance) are old.

I know I'm obsessing, but am trying hard to keep it a bit in perspective!

I, personally, would nix the first one on the grounds that I like to eat with my feet on the floor, not perched on a bar stool, but bar stools do seem to be popular these days. And I would nix the fourth on the grounds that UK second floor is US third floor and I would prefer fewer steps. A basement flat (which is what lower ground floor means) may or may not be dark depending on whether the ground at the back is lower.

Do you mean Gloucester Street Road? Gloucester Street is in Pimlico near-ish Pimlico and Victoria Stations. Gloucester Road is is South Kens near the Gloucester Road station.

I'm surprised you are finding economical properties near Sloane Sq since it is a very upscale neighborhood.

All three (all four if you mean Gloucester Road) are good locations, Kens High Street being the farthest west and farthest from most sites. Just for transport/convenience I'd rate them in order Gloucester Rd, Sloane Sq, Gloucester Street, Kensington High Street

#1 looks nice, and is quite close to the tube station - I dislike bar stools too.

#2 in in a TERRIFIC location. Very close to South Kens tube station and the V&A/Natural History museums

I would personally LOVE the location of #3 -- very close to the tube station, the Royal Court theatre, and my favorite department store in London

#4 is VERY close to the Gloucester Rd Station.

I (personally) could not stay in #4 because I injured my knee and 3rd (2nd) floor is too much climbing just now.

I haven’t looked at the individual flats so am not going to comment, but if I wanted to live in any one of the areas you’ve chosen I would go for Sloane Gardens. But all the areas you’ve listed are OK.

London has so much choice, nowhere is unsafe, the public transport
is very good. Just decide on one otherwise you will go mad trying to find a perfect match.

Even that Southwark flat was a good location as I stayed just behind the Tate Modern on the South Bank earlier this year and it was a great place to stay.

There are restaurants, pubs, things to do just about everywhere….

And if nowhere's not near the Tube take a bus.

In London cost is the primary factor, if you can afford it just do it.

I personally like east London, so much prefer the Southwark flat you were looking at before. These are all too far west for me, but I am a south London girl and the area around borough market is one of my favourite areas.

Actually, if your cut off is 200 USD, it is not clear you can afford those flats. At today's exchange rate that is 151 GBP. Two of those flats START at more than that and the others are just over when you allow for add ons for your dates.

thursdaysd, you’re absolutely right! I think as long as I look at the rates in pounds, I’ll be fine and I won’t worry too much about going a bit over my planned budget!

Many thanks everyone - I’m still torn but am reassured that they are all good choices. I think I’m leaning toward Sloane Gardens but am still pondering the variables. The good news is that they are all good choices. And if I go slightly over budget, we’ll I guess I’m not so hard and fast with my own rules!

janisj, 2 or 3 are my favorites! I just have to get over the idea of staying in a place that is not above grade! But they both look light enough and very comfortable.

Progol - you are definitely on the road to crazy! LOL. I'm with Jamikins in this and say I thought the Southwark flat was great - standards of kitchen and bathrooms for that price were amazing, love the area and you are so close to getting into the west end from there. However, I also love the Kensington High Street area and the area around Gloucester Road having stayed in both. I wouldn't hesitate to stay in a lower ground flat - I've had two excellent lower ground flats through Farnum and Christ at the high end of the flat rental scale. Both had plenty of light - they usually have a very large front window and if they go straight through to a back garden the bedrooms at the back can also be quite light.

It was just an observation as here in Oz a double is 54 inch and a queen 60 inch.
Our KS bed is 72 inch.
Doubles are not particularly common here anymore so I was commenting from my own experience and comfort level.

@janisj - I grew up in England taking baths. When I moved to the US I was miffed because the bath tubs weren't big enough for me to get all of me under water at the same time. So I switched to showers. Now I see baths as unhygienic. (I'm with the Japanese - get clean first!) And a proper shower, as opposed to an over the bath one, is a lot safer if you have mobility or balance issues - or even if you don't.

The problem bed wise -- many in the US and OZ are used to king sized. If you want/need that -- head for an international business or posh upscale hotel. Not a holiday flat.

thursdaysd: I'm a bath girl myself -- the more bath bombs, bubbles and oils the better

But thank heavens I had my master bath remodeled last year with a wonderful high tech-y shower (though still over the tub). Cuz' for about 2 months after I injured my knee I could not get down into a tub and had to convert to showers 100%. Now I'm about 50/50. Once my knee is totally heeled I'll go back to mostly baths but I have got so I do appreciate a nice shower.

Many thanks, everyone! I'm off to work and don't have time to respond individually, but you all raise good points, and ones that I'm considering.

My sticking points:
-The lack of shower in the Queensberry Place is a concern.
-The lack of a bedside lamp on the LH side of the bed in Sloane Gardens
-The lack of a table and possible long haul upstairs in Cheniston Gardens

Locations seem to all be good

and, thursdaysd, LOL! I checked with my husband and he was fine with it, so don't tell him that:
<<Six inches isn't much. Until you don't have it.>>

We actually stayed at the same Coach House rental (Emperor's Gate - EMP) - four years ago. For us (DH, teen DD and me) it was great... wished it had a second bedroom but DD was fine on the pull out couch in the living room. It was modern with a lot of natural light. I don't recall any specific issues with the apartment or in dealing with Coach House Rentals - it is as advertised on their website. Location was good - close enough to a tube station and some museums. Would definitely stay there again if we return to London.

Looks like you have some good options - I didn't dig into details on all of them, but here are a few things I would also throw into the mix:

- washer/dryer in any or none? (makes packing easier...)
- air con or good room ventilation ? I know you said Sept, but sometimes you can get a hot spell....
- floors and stairs? this is a deal breaker for some and a non-event for others.
- reviews? I like a place with multiple reviews so I get a good sense of the pros and cons. Are all reviews screened through the agency? Are there any independent reviews on any travel sites?

"many in the US and OZ are used to king sized. If you want/need that -- head for an international business or posh upscale hotel. Not a holiday flat."
Just want to mention that we indeed did find a kingsize bed in a holiday flat in London. They were not common, but I found several in my search last year.

In our London flat we have a bed that's 200x200cm. Which is quite a common size for us, but Onefinestay who let the flat think it's very big. They call it a super king, their size chart says super king is 190cm.
No idea what you're talking about in inches.

Emperor's Gate; we lived very close to there for years. Nice residential area. You'll have to cross Cromwell Road to get to Gloucester Rd tube. There's a big apartment block very close, that you may look onto.

I disagree that Kensington High Street is too far; it's about as easy as Sloane Square. Both are on the Circle Line, wich is the least convenient line, with less frequent trains. But there are lots of busses on Kensington High Street. Both are in upmarket residential areas, with plenty of good food shops. I lived near Sloane Square for many years as well, so know that area too.

I do think Southwark is out of the running for now, though I appreciate the comments in support of the area. As I mentioned earlier, after doing a lot of streetviews on google maps, I’ve come to the conclusion a little charm and quaint wouldn’t be such a bad idea, though the flat I found in Southwark si still one of my favorites. I’ll keep it in mind for the next trip!

I’m still mulling over the various flats, and as each of you raise questions, I’m becoming a little more mixed about the ivy Lettings flats (though they have been very responsive) and think the coach house rental flat hits more of the boxes. But talk about marketing, the photography for Ivy Lettingsmis very good and they do create an appealing product (which is why I’m having such a difficult time!).

iowamom, do you remember how many steps there were to the flat and whether the terrace that’s mentioned is shared or private?

Many thanks, all. Everyone’s comments are helping me to think about the pros & cons of each place.

I am finding that Coach House rentals is incredibly slow in responding; they got back to me to let me know that they will find out about availability, and now, 4 days later, I still haven't gotten a response. It's disheartening as there has been so much praise for the agency that I'm trying to give them a chance, but today, when there is so much on line activity, there's really no excuse for such a delayed response. The folks at Ivy Lettings and A Place Like Home are much more on the ball and respond immediately, if only to let me know that they will get back to me with answers as soon as they can.

Thanks janisj! I do love the look of the Ivy Lettings flats -- but part of that is, I suspect, that they have done a wonderful job of photography and creating a spectacular look.

I'm still driving myself a bit crazy and have begun looking at A Place Like Home, and am finding a few possibilities there. But there is a promotion on Ivy Lettings that ends this Sunday, so I'm trying to make a decision very soon!!

May I suggest that if you can't decide between two options you toss a coin? If you are happy with the result, you do that. If you are unhappy you do the other. You have plenty of other decisions to make.

Thanks, yestravel and janisj! I am very relieved and pleased - I think that it will be just fine!

janisj, I have an AirBnB apartment in Paris that is REGISTERED and has had excellent feedback on the site; I've been in touch with the owners and they are lovely. I was very careful - I wrote to them before they registered their place and, as soon as they had their registration number, they contacted me to let me know. I'm comfortable with the place and believe me, I also checked a lot of places (though not nearly as many as for London!).